Top for tin cans.



,L. CONNORS. TOP FQR TIN CANS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24. L917.

. Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- TOP FOR TIN CANS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

Application filed May 24, 1917. Serial No. 170,737.

able others skilled in the art to which it ap-- pertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to tin cans or boxes or the like and more particularly to a can for keeping sardines or the like which are kept in oily liquids and an object of the present invention is to provide a top which can be easily opened and during the opening operation an even strip will be torn from the top, thereby making a more straight opening through which the contents of the can may be easily removed.

With the above and other objects in view which will hereinafter appear as the description continues, the invention consists of the novel features of construction, combination and formation of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the box embodying the present invention; 7 V

Fig. 2 is a cross section through the same;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal, section; and,

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the key to be used for opening the box. 7

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings wherein like and corresponding parts are designated by similar reference characters throughout the several views.

The numeral 1 indicates the body portion of an ordinary sardine box having a lid top 2 clamped thereto in the usual manner. This top is provided with two parallel longitudinally extending weakened lines '3 and one end of each of these linesterminates with the transverse slot 4 out within the cover. A tongue 5 is provided having one end thereof soldered to under face of the section 6 to be severed from the top and the lower face of this end of the tongue is soldered to the permanent section 7 of thelid Gopies 01' this patent may be obtained for or top. The opposite end of this tongue is provided with two lips 8 arranged at each side of the tongue. A key 9 is provided having two slots 10 therein for receiving the lips 8 and the opposite ends of this key are provided with the handles as shown.

When it is desired to open the box the lips 8 are inserted through the slots 10 and the key is then rotated, first severing the tongue from the section 7 and then causing the section 6 to be severed from the remaining portions of the top along the weakened lines 3, thereby making an opening of sufficient length and width that the goods may be readily removed from the can and by providing the two lips 8 the section 6 will readily tear along the lines 3, thereby pre-' venting an uneven opening in the lid. By providing two handles upon the key 9 and the lips at each side of the tongue, a better grip may be obtained for opening the box and the weakened lines 3 need not be cut so deep as is generally required on tops for boxes, thus preventing the possibility of leaks which is very important in packing sardines in oil. Y

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A can of the character described comprising a body portion, a top therefor, said top having a pair of longitudinal parallel weakened lines formed thereupon, said top having a transverse slot formed therein and the opposite ends of said slot terminating with one end of each of said weakened lines, a tongue inserted within said slot for closing the latter, said tongue being rigidly connected to the lower face of that portion of the top arranged between said weakened lines, a pair of lips formed with said tongue and projecting from the opposite sides thereof, and a key adapted to receive said lips substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

L wIs GONNORS.

Witnesses: 7

LEWIS F. MILLS N. MARKS MmLs.

five cents eacli, by addressing the Gommissioner ot Paten ts, Washington, 11.0. V 

